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National Events

01 May 14

Understanding and Meeting the Needs of Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex People

The past four decades have seen significant legislative and policy reforms recognising the needs of older LGBTI Australians and New Zealanders. Beginning with the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 1970-1990s to recent the development of a National Strategy on LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care in Australia. Despite these reforms, older LGBTI people continue to experience discrimination and report fear of aged care services.

Strategies to ensure person-centred, culturally safe services include shifting towards a Consumer-Directed Care (CDC) model. When applied to services for LGBTI older people, the CDC model has potential to address some of the unique needs encountered by older LGBTI people.

The webinar begins by providing an overview of definitions and demographics of LGBTI people. It will also provide a summary of the historical experiences of older LGBTI people that impacts on their health and wellbeing.

Stephen Neville will then highlight research from New Zealand which explored LGB people’s readiness to disclose their sexual orientation to service providers. The experiences of older LGB people will be described, demonstrating that heterosexism and homophobia needs to be addressed. Gávi will discuss:

Recent Australian aged care reforms

The shift towards consumer-directed care

The needs of older intersex, trans, and non-binary gender people

Guidelines to reduce transphobia, intersex exclusion, and cisgenderism (systems that invalidate people’s understanding of their genders and bodies)

In this webinar we will explore the needs of older LGBTI people, develop an understanding of the experiences of LGBTI people accessing services, and analyse strategies to develop LGBTI inclusive aged care services.

Australian Association of Gerontology acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including members of the Stolen Generations. For further information see AAG’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing Advisory Group